The best country gallopers in NSW will do battle in The Kosciuszko (1200m) this Saturday at Randwick, where two time winner Front Page is favourite.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 The Kosciuszko.
2025 The Kosciuszko Runner Preview:
1. Front Page: Front Page is the champ of this race and he’ll look the winner for a long way I am sure. He hasn’t raced since the Stradbroke when leading and tired in the straight to finish down the track behind War Machine. Just one soft trial for the return but the stable knows how to get him ready for this race and has the great racing style.
2. Bandi’s Boy: Talented horse but the stable is absolutely cast and their runners just aren’t attacking the line. If he brings his best, he can threaten.
3. Compelling Truth: Had the tick over run in The Shorts. He is a good horse, a tough horse…just not sure if there is petrol left in the tank.
4. Melody Again: Bless her heart and her win in the Dark Jewel. But, while this race is worth money, does she have eyes on the Barn Dance on Cup Day? She’ll get back and launch late.
5. Golden Decade: He looks like he has been trained as a short course type and for me, that is danger signs for what will be a hard 1200m.
6. Boston Rocks: Kept chipping away and was really good in defeat behind Disneck. Maps to stalk the speed and will be effective late. Can win.
7. Gallant Star: He is a beauty this horse. He is always thereabouts in these kind of races and if they do overdo it in front, look for him to launch at the end and a win wouldn’t shock at all.
8. Lisztomania: Would have loved for him to draw a gate but from out there, things are going to be too hard.
9. So Magnificent: Sharp animal, will press forward…but can’t see him measuring up.
10. Highway Strip: Head noise deluxe this horse. Talent is there, but mentally…just not there for me to entertain him.
11. Clear Thinking: Clear Thinking is a class mare for Messara/Gavranich that resumes, having not raced since March 5 when close up in defeat in the Wenona Girl behind Commemorative. Given a good break with this race clearly in mind and her two trial wins under the belt has been electric. Hard to beat.
12. Without Parallel: Without Parallel can bounce back for Matty Dunn. She was four weeks between runs when racing at Rosehill last start where she just raced a touch on the flat side, perhaps in need of the run when fifth to Catch The Glory. She’s a first four threat I say.
13. Chidiac: Has strong form lines around her but just don’t think she’s good enough.
14. So You Pence: Handy mare, lightly raced, but needs it easier.
2025 The Kosciuszko $100 Betting Strategy:
$10 Win/$40 Place Clear Thinking, $50 Win Front Page Tote/SP
2025 The Kosciuszko Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FRONT PAGE | Matthew Dale | Tim Clark | 6 | 60kg |
| 2 | BANDI’S BOY | Danny Williams | Zac Purton | 7 | 60kg |
| 3 | COMPELLING TRUTH | Mack Griffith | Adam Hyeronimus | 4 | 59kg |
| 4 | MELODY AGAIN | Scott Singleton | Christian Reith | 8 | 58kg |
| 5 | GOLDEN DECADE | Matthew Dunn | Michael Dee | 11 | 58kg |
| 6 | BOSTON ROCKS | Matthew Dale | Tommy Berry | 1 | 57.5kg |
| 7 | GALLANT STAR | Brett Robb | Zac Lloyd | 3 | 57.5kg |
| 8 | LISZTOMANIA | Todd Payne | Kerrin McEvoy | 14 | 55.5kg |
| 9 | SO MAGNIFICENT | Todd Smart | Billy Owen | 12 | 55.5kg |
| 10 | HIGHWAY STRIP | Danny Williams | Chad Schofield | 5 | 55kg |
| 11 | CLEAR THINKING (GB) | Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | Tyler Schiller | 13 | 53.5kg |
| 12 | WITHOUT PARALLEL | Matthew Dunn | Craig Williams | 2 | 53.5kg |
| 13 | CHIDIAC | Brett & Georgie Cavanough | Jason Collett | 9 | 53kg |
| 14 | SO YOU PENCE | Matthew Dale | Ashley Morgan | 10 | 53kg |
2025 The Kosciuszko Odds
2025 The Kosciuszko Speed Map
There does seem to be good speed engaged but they are going to want to be fast to hold out Front Page for the top. Compelling Truth and Without Parallel will press forward as well. Boston Rocks and So You Pence won’t be far away.